Reel World

By Devin D. O'Leary

Political Docs A-plenty—The New Mexico Media Literacy Program is bringing filmmaker Sut Jhally to Albuquerque on Thursday, Aug. 5, to premiere his documentary Hijacking Catastrophe: 9/11, Fear & the Selling of the American Empire. The film examines how a radical fringe element of the Republican party used the trauma of the 9-11 hijackings to further their pre-existing agenda. The San Francisco Chronicle called the film “sober, yet ultimately uplifting.” The screening will take place at 7 p.m. on the campus of Albuquerque Academy in Simms Auditorium. Jhally, a professor of communication at UMASS and the executive director of the Media Education Foundation, will stick around after the screening for a Q&A with audience members. This event is free and open to the public. Log on to www.mediaed.org for more info.

Ski-In Theater?—On Aug. 6, Angel Fire Resort kicks off its “Movie Under the Stars” program. Every Friday night in August, Angel Fire will screen a double feature in the beautiful outdoors. The films will be shown on a 50-foot screen erected on the resort's Exhibition Ski Run. Chairs, blankets and picnic baskets are encouraged. This Friday features Finding Nemo for the kids and Jaws for the older folks. The early movie will start at 8 p.m. and the later movie will start at 10 p.m. Future double features include A Knight's Tale/The Blair Witch Project (Aug. 13), Grease/The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Aug. 20) and Star Wars/Aliens (Aug. 27). Admission is free. For more info, log on to www.angelfireresort.com

Deadline for Locals—This Saturday, Aug. 7, at noon is the deadline for submitting films to the second annual Local Shorts program at the Lobo Theater. Films/videos should be 15 minutes or less in length and must be submitted on VHS, DVD or mini-DV tape. The festival, featuring all Albuquerque filmmakers, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 14. All you've got to do is log on to www.localshorts.com for an entry form and complete info on where to send your film.

Midnight Maddest—This Friday and Saturday, Guild Cinema in Nob Hill will be hosting the world premiere screening of The Stink of Flesh. This outrageous sex-and-gore-soaked zombie epic is a homegrown cult film featuring loads of local talent. The film is the fevered brainchild of writer/director Scott Phillips (Drive, Horrorvision, Crypts). Cast includes Kurly Tlapoyawa, Ross Kelly, Devin D. O'Leary (yes, that's me) and Stephanie Leighs. Screenings will take place at 10 p.m. and Midnight both nights. Cast and crew will be present for a spirited Q&A. This could be a sellout event, so grab your tickets early.